As the new year begins, everywhere you look there are advertisements, social media posts and the like telling us that we need to change ourselves. The gyms are full with trainers waiting to convince even the fittest of the fit that they could do better. Employers are giving pep talks to their minions to reach new goals, and family members urge each other to be better at staying in touch. All the while we look in the mirror and ask ourselves, do I need to change?
Perhaps “change” is not the appropriate word. You see, the word change implies that there is something wrong and fixing is in order. Maybe the advertisers and those around us are missing what we should really be doing in the new year… we should be discovering ourselves. What does that mean, you may ask. It means, that if we take the time to slow down and assess the likes and dislikes in our lives, we could better ourselves and our paths to the future.
For me, I discovered that I enjoy the outdoors, being in nature. It mentally stimulates me and makes me feel energetic. Knowing this about myself, then sets in motion an action to get me outside more often. Of course I could just sit outside all day and read, or watch birds coming and going. But I could also start hiking, walking, visiting parks and monuments, biking, running (not really going to happen) but the amount of things I could do outside are endless.
Which leads me to a new discovery… The one that if I start doing a few of these things, I will become a better version of myself. It’s like a chain reaction will occur. You know the book, If You Give A Mouse a Cookie…
If you go for a hike, you discover a new trail, you meet a friend on the trail who takes you to a monument, you learn something new there that you share with your family etc. You no longer are that person watching television and talking about the best shows on Netflix or Hulu. You become a better version of yourself.
The same goes for something you dislike in your life. If you dislike that you are always waiting for something better to happen, then you can make a plan with goals to start making things happen. Even if they are small goals at first, at least you won’t be waiting any longer. If you are waiting to travel to Europe but you can’t afford it. You begin by putting a dollar away a day, you take a trip to the library to learn more about Europe, you take a language class to learn a new language, you meet new friends who open the door to many new experiences. Soon you won’t be waiting to do things… you will be so busy that you will surely be a better version of yourself.
There’s a whole world out there to discover. Take time to look around you, listen more closely. You’ll become a better version of yourself because your world has grown since you dared to explore the better you.
Good article.